BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums

Salvadori’s Pheasant (Lophura inornata) and Aceh Pheasant (L. hoogerwerfi) are being lumped as L. inornata: list as Near Threatened or Vulnerable?

Joe Taylor — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:45:14 +0000

Salvadori’s Pheasant Lophura inornata and Aceh Pheasant L. hoogerwerfi are being lumped as L. inornata, following the application of criteria set out by Tobias et al. (2010). Continue reading →

The newly described taxon Oceanites pincoyae is to be recognised as a species by BirdLife: list as Data Deficient?

Joe Taylor — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:21:07 +0000

The newly described taxon Oceanites pincoyae (Harrison et al. 2013) is to be recognised as a species following application of the Tobias et al. (2010) criteria, which support its distinctiveness from congeners. Continue reading →

Suggestions for new topics

Andy Symes — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:44:20 +0000

To suggest discussion of a species not listed in the forum, send a reply to this discussion. A moderator will assess the suitability of the topic and create a new topic if appropriate. Continue reading →

Maroon-faced Parakeet (Pyrrhura leucotis) is being split: list P. leucotis as Vulnerable and P. emma as Near Threatened or Least Concern?

Joe Taylor — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:16:37 +0000

Maroon-faced Parakeet Pyrrhura leucotis is being split into P. leucotis and P. emma, following the application of criteria set out by Tobias et al. (2010). Continue reading →

Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) is being split: list C. strictus as Vulnerable and C. xanthocephalus as Near Threatened?

Joe Taylor — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:48:23 +0000

Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus is being split into C. lucidus, C. guttacristatus, C. stricklandi, C. strictus, C. haematribon, C. erythrocephalus and C. xanthocephalus, following the application by Collar (2011) of criteria set out by Tobias et al. (2010). Continue reading →

Comment on Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) is being split: list C. strictus as Vulnerable and C. xanthocephalus as Near Threatened? by Simon Mahood

Simon Mahood — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:58:47 +0000

It seems that there are quite a few species that are largely restricted to lowland forest within the Western Visayas. Surely all of these should have a similar threat category? It seems that there is broad agreement that the proposed threat status of recently split species at least (such as the flameback and scops-owl) is overly optimistic. The paucity of recent records of widespread threatened lowland specialists (such as Celestial Monarch) in the Western Visayas further highlights the threatened status of this avifauna.

Comment on Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) is being split: list C. strictus as Vulnerable and C. xanthocephalus as Near Threatened? by Ivan Sarenas

Ivan Sarenas — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:47:00 +0000

I have a photo of erythrocephalus from years ago, which is what Desmond may have referred to. A February 2013 trip of 2 days up Kanlaon yielded no sightings or heard calls from this species. Three years ago I did see (in three days in Panay forests) a lone individual. I do feel it is rare also because I do not see this bird in a lot of trip reports from birdwatching tours.

Comment on Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) is being split: list C. strictus as Vulnerable and C. xanthocephalus as Near Threatened? by Desmond Allen

Desmond Allen — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:18:48 +0000

I certainly concur with Simon re everettit and erythrocephalus. On the basis of the number of photos of these two that are being taken, everetti is clearly much commoner. Xanthocephalus: 'C. xanthocephalus occurs on Negros, Guimaras, Panay, Masbate and Ticao in the Philippines (Winkler et al. 1995, Collar 2011).' Do you have any better references to indicate that it still occurs (rather than occurred) on Guimaras, Masbate and Ticao? 'The rate of decline may not be more rapid than this because the species appears to tolerate substantial habitat modification.' What is your reference for this? Despite considerable photographic activity on both Negros and Panay (eg Panay Bird Club) I know of only one photo of this species in existence - from Canlaon. If it restricted to West Visayan forests, Vulnerable might be the lowest suitable category.

Comment on Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) is being split: list C. strictus as Vulnerable and C. xanthocephalus as Near Threatened? by Joe Taylor

Joe Taylor — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:12:19 +0000

Following Simon's comment, discussions would be welcomed on the likely population size of C. erythrocephalus (relevant to criterion C2), as well as the likely population trend in this species and D. everetti. The tentative assessment for D. everetti may be too pessimistic.

Comment on Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) is being split: list C. strictus as Vulnerable and C. xanthocephalus as Near Threatened? by Simon Mahood

Simon Mahood — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:18:00 +0000

In a separate forum topic you propose that D. everetti (split from D. javanense) should be classified as Near Threatened. Here, you propose that C. erythrocephalus (split from C. lucidus), with an identical range to D. everetti (Balabac, Palawan and the Calamian group in the Philippines), should be Least Concern. Typically Common Flameback tolerates a greater degree of habitat degradation than Greater Flameback (the latter is more of a proper forest bird) and therefore this treatment cannot be correct. Either both should have the same threat category, or C. erythrocephalus should have a higher threat category than D. everetti. This inconsistency highlights the need to critically examine the proposed threat categories for all new species within the Greater Flameback complex. This is something that I am not knowledgeable enough to do.

Woodford’s Rail (Nesoclopeus woodfordi) is being split: list N. woodfordi as Vulnerable and N. immaculatus and N. tertius as Near Threatened?

Joe Taylor — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:22:28 +0000

Woodford’s Rail Nesoclopeus woodfordi is being split into N. woodfordi, N. tertius and N. immaculatus, following the application of criteria set out by Tobias et al. (2010). Continue reading →

Comment on Woodford’s Rail (Nesoclopeus woodfordi) is being split: list N. woodfordi as Vulnerable and N. immaculatus and N. tertius as Near Threatened? by Guy Dutson

Guy Dutson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:53:47 +0000

I am not convinced about splitting these species given the significant inter-taxon variation observed in the field but not exhibited in the very small series of specimens. Although locally common in rank grasslands, this habitat is limited, and population sizes of <10,000 for all three taxa would be my best precautionary estimate. Given the paucity of information on these birds away from one or two birding sites and the largely unknown trends in their habitat, I would list each as NT, aligned with the ecologically similar Roviana Rail.

Pitcairn Reed-warbler (Acrocephalus vaughani): downlist to Vulnerable?

Lynda Donaldson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:41:45 +0000

BirdLife Species Factsheet for Pitcairn Reed-warbler Pitcairn Reed-warbler Acrocephalus vaughani is endemic to the tiny volcanic island of Pitcairn. It is currently classified as Endangered because it has a very small population which was believed to be continuing to decline, … Continue reading →

Mauritius Fody (Foudia rubra): downlist to Vulnerable?

Lynda Donaldson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:37:36 +0000

BirdLife Species Factsheet for Mauritius Fody Mauritius Fody Foudia rubra, endemic to Mauritius, suffered rapid population declines since 1975 and became restricted to a tiny area in the southwest of the country, descending from 247-260 pairs to c.108-122 pairs in … Continue reading →

Manus Masked-owl (Tyto manusi): uplist to Endangered?

Lynda Donaldson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:33:18 +0000

BirdLife Species Factsheet for Manus Masked-owl Manus Masked-owl Tyto manusi is known only from two historic specimens from Manus in the Admiralty Islands of Papua New Guinea. There are no records of the species since 1934 (P. Gregory in litt. … Continue reading →

Comment on Manus Masked-owl (Tyto manusi): uplist to Endangered? by Guy Dutson

Guy Dutson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:59:27 +0000

Agreed that there is likely to be a single subpopulation of <1000 individuals suffering ongoing decline

Brazilian Black-tyrant (Knipolegus franciscanus): downlist to Least Concern?

Lynda Donaldson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:25:42 +0000

BirdLife Species Factsheet for Brazilian Black-tyrant Brazilian Black-tyrant Knipolegus franciscanus is a dry forest species associated with limestone outcrops at most known locations. It is currently listed as Near Threatened as it was believed to have a declining population which … Continue reading →